"Mai, I need to see you in my office."

Mai looked up from the work she had been doing to see Oliver retreating into his office. She sighed, locked her computer and followed after him.

"Please, take a seat."

Oliver sat down and waited for Mai to take a seat opposite him. Mai frowned at his serious nature, confused about why he was not skipping to the point.

"What's this about?"

"Mai, you've been with the company for almost a year now," Oliver began. "And over the last year I have not been the only one who has been impressed with your work. Not only have you completed your PA duties, but you've also taken the lead with the outreach work on the new hospital. Masako informs me that his has been greatly beneficial to the company's image."

"Well, it wasn't that big a deal, just a few emails and—"

"And you made it happen," Oliver interrupted. "Not everyone would have made the effort."

"You would have had you had the time," Mai protested.

"No, I would not have."

Mai's frown deepened.

"Oliver, what is this about?"

"I want to offer you a new position."

Mai blinked once. Twice. Three times before she found words.

"You're promoting me? But to what? There's no where higher up in my chain? I can't PA to anyone more important than the CEO?"

Oliver raised a singular eyebrow.

"No, I suppose you can't. But you can be promoted."

"But what to? There's no position above mine—"

"Apart from the position of CEO."

Mai started.

"You're joking, right?"

"Why would I joke?"

"Because I'm in no way qual—"

"Mai, you are better than I am at talking to people, negotiating deals and encouraging ideas."

"But what about you?" Mai asked. "What—"

"I will, of course, remain on hand to assist in any way you need. But this would allow me to return to research."

Mai gulped.

"You've… You've been testing me," she realised. "These last few months! All those times you were busy or—"

"Yes. I had to ensure you were right for the job. You have the full support of the other heads of departments. Ayako was especially keen on the idea."

Mai laughed, then her face fell.

"But what about your parents? They wanted to keep the business in the family! You can't just—"

"That brings us to the final condition of you accepting the job." Oliver swallowed and licked his lips. "You need to become part of the family."

"Oliver, I don't und—"

"Mai, will you marry me?"

Author's note: The end! Please review :)